Team Himiko: First Journey

Himiko hummed to herself as she waited by the mission counter for her team. With the sheet of information in her hand she was scanning it over, getting the official 'drop out' status of one of her squad who had left the training early, as much as she didn't like to be cruel she had the belief he would've taken up a lot of her focus to get him on the right path, and being replaced by a reasonably familiar name. She didn't know quite where from as she waited by herself there, but she was sure she'd see. For Enzo and Kenichi it would've only been two days since their training session, plenty of time to prepare and to now meet her here for a small journey. She had given them plenty of warning about possible dangers, but also assured them that with her protection they should be fine.

A simple escort mission. Or as simple as those marked B-rank can be when that escort takes them to the Land of Greed.

Enzo arrived at the scene of the mission, holding a few his materials on hand. He was fully prepared, a little bit stronger and well rested. It was proven that Enzo surely didn't let these days pass him by, he was prepared for almost anything. "Himiko Sensei!!" Enzo would say as he walked up to her and smiled. "Remember the time I promised you ice cream iff you met up later? I ended up staying for you to show up, but the store was closing. So wit that being said, I went this morning in order to pack ya up a small treat. "

Enzo then shifted the bag to her, containing a small scoop of vanilla ice cream with a cherry on top. She could open it anytime, hopefully, bfore it melted. "Where's Kenichi? " Enzo would say as he bent down and touched the floor, creating two kunai and shuriken in the process.

Spoiler:

Made 2 kunai and shuriken.... details on my kunai and shuriken ratio of regular and morpher

Equipment Name: Kunai PouchType of Weapon: Light Armor (Waist)Rank: CHow Many: 1 Appearance: A small pouch which is typically tied to the hip to secure it during running and make it easily accessible for when kunai need to be drawn for battle.Special Ability: N/A*It can sustain damage from up to 1 C-rank & 3 D-ranks worth of Raw Damage to a shinobi's waist before being destroyed. It can be used to store 10 kunai per pouch worn allowing it to store their weapons and can sustain enough damage to prevent it from being destroyed in battle. Price: 500 Xel

7 Morpher Kunai, 3 Regular C Rank Kunai

Equipment Name: Shuriken HolsterType of Weapon: Light Armor (Leg)Rank: DHow Many: 1 Appearance: A small pouch which is typically tied to the thigh to secure it during running and make it easily accessible for when kunai need to be drawn for battle.Special Ability: N/A*It can sustain damage from up to 5 D-ranks worth of Raw Damage to a shinobi's leg before being destroyed. It can be used to store 20 shuriken per pouch worn allowing it to store their weapons and can sustain enough damage to prevent it from being destroyed in battle. Price: 250 Xel

Description: This Jutsu correlates to the Bakuhatsu's special ability regarding morphing materials into any explosive shape that primes them for detonation on frictional impact. Depending on the user's ability to morph what they can, regarding their marks, the use is able to makeD-rank Kunai from any material they are able to morph. The kunai are a foot long, each dealing D Hybrid explosive damage on impact. The explosions created are as big as the Kunai, and the elemental damage in question is mostly dependent on the material that was used. This technique costs no chakra, but there is a 2 P.T cooldown before another round of Kunai can be made. The amount of Kunai made is dependent on the users rank.

Description: This Jutsu correlates to the Bakuhatsu's special ability regarding morphing materials into any explosive shape that primes them for detonation on frictional impact. Depending on the user's ability to morph what they can, regarding their marks, the user is able to make C-rank Kunai from any material they are able to morph. The Shuriken are a foot long, each dealing C Hybrid explosive damage on impact. The explosions created are as big as the Kunai, and the elemental damage in question is mostly dependent on the material that was used. This technique costs no chakra, but there is a 4 P.T cooldown before another round of Kunai can be made. The amount of Kunai made is dependent on the users rank.

Description: The Bakuhatsu clan is notorious among Merchants for one very specific capability, namely their ability to eat minerals similar to how normal individuals consume food. While this doesn't mean they are able to eat poisonous or other harmful materials it means that things which are inert or normally indigestible are able to be processed by those in the Bakuhatsu Clan whether to fuel techniques as a materia price or eventually as a Bakuhatsu grows more skilled replenish a set amount of their stamina depending on the grade of the raw material in question. Despite their odd eating habits the Bakuhatsu Clan are only capable of ingesting solid minerals this way often making sure to grind them up if they aren't capable of crushing them down with their teeth. They do however have a special relationship with Gems as the benefits they bring extend more than just use as a Materia Price or Stamina replenishing. The types of Raw Materials they can consume depends on their age with younger the Bakuhatsu is the more types of minerals they are able to digest.Age - Types of Minerals Digestible - Grade of Raw Material (Stamina Replenished)Below Prime - Earth Materia, Gem & Metal (Raw Materials) - Grade I to III (1:1 Ratio) Prime - Earth Materia & Gem (Raw Materials) - Grade IV to VI (1:2 Ratio)Above Price - Earth Materia (Includes G. Earth if Bake) - Grade VII+ (1:3 Ratio)*Note: The Ratio refers to 1 D-rank of a mineral replenishing 1 Stamina, thus consumption of larger amounts will utilize the same ratio.

Description: The Bakuhatsu are adorned with unique birthmarks identical to their clan symbol along their body which are naturally present at birth in a random amount (Success Chance Dice Roll), the placement of these birthmarks may differ however one commonality is that if there is an Even amount then they will always be symmetrical (Left & Right sides) whereas if there is an Odd amount then it will be symmetrical up until the last one which will be located somewhere in the middle of the body. In addition these birthmarks are never on their hands of feet as those are the only places where a Bakuhatsu never has any sort of birthmarks. These tattoos grant the unique Bakuhatsu specific ability to morph materia into shapes while priming them for detonation, without an additional energy source put it it works on a cool-down system and the morphed materia will always deal Hybrid Damage of the element the materia is comprised of with the explosive status effect. The number of birthmarks the Bakuhatsu possesses determines the types of materia capable of being harnessed as well as how long it takes before they can prime another material.No of Birthmarks - Types of Materia Capable of Harnessing1 - Earth Materia Only2 - Earth Materia & Gems Only3, 5 or 7 - Earth Materia, Gems & Plants (Enzo Bakuhatsu)4, 6 or 8 - Earth Materia, Gems & Metals (Solid Only)9 - Earth Materia, Gems, Plants & Metals (Solid Only)10 - Solid Materia (Including Earth, Gems, Plants, Metals & Living)*(Insert Name)'s Birthmarks = (Insert Amount)*(Insert Names)'s Birthmark Locations are:

"Lucky you, Himi." A voice would appear from behind, a little deeper then she would remember, but hopefully not too unfamilair. After all, it has only been a few years since they were classmates, and surely the top trouble child isn't so easily forgotten. Raion was simply standing there, leaned up against the wall with a slight slump in his posture, looking like the embodiment of trouble, from the bandana in the long, dyed blonde hair, right down to the tattoos. Seems like little has changed to say the least. "Seems like your students might have a bit of a crush on you." He'd use his back to push himself off the wall and begin walking over, pulling out a smoke and lighting it up on the way. "Me though...I'm fucking pissed with this situation. Must be the higher up fucks still trying to punish me however they can." This was incredibly embarrassing and humiliating to have a former classmate as his genin sensei. Its just purely demeaning, surely this wasn't an 'accidental' match up as they said it was when he demanded the transfer, all smirking as they turned it down.

Prior to 2 days ago, kenichi had been thinking of finding his mother and convincing her to comeback, the words of her child should be more than enough to convince her to come back. "do you really think that would be enough, think about it logically kid, if words could bring her back you would've already doing that we need action." even though the idea of talking, it was all he could do, legally at least. Kenichi made his way into the office after passing raion, then hear the words of enzo "I'm here, let's get out of her." he spoke but soon stopped hear raion speaking, the only thing that stood out to kenichi was when he mentioned enzo's crush "I'd respect if don't mistake his stupidity for love, since I actually waited also." He lied, then went to pet enzo's head

Himiko would smile at Enzo as he appeared, looking with a little surprise that he brought her ice cream. "... ok but this isn't winning you bonus points with me or anything," she would joke as she took it from him whilst the other two would make their own appearances, too busy eating said ice cream to speak back to Raion right away. She did recall him however now once he was in front of her, a trouble-maker through and through. Having two focused, well behaved students would be too much to ask for it seemed, the higher-ups had to give her firstly an old class-mate so far behind her in rank... but a trouble-maker. She would shake her head and pass it off as nothing. It might be nice to catch up on someone she went through the Academy with, but for now she was the Jounin leader of the team and needed to act like it. Finishing her ice cream with the strawberry she would crumple the pot up in her hands to throw it away shortly and looked to the three of them. "Alright, I was told by a wanderer in the Temples that they were looking for an escort to the Land of Greed, over in the more neutral territories. Whilst I told them they needed to go to the office, I also volunteered us to be his escort. Hope you all don't mind," she would say with a wink, all but ignoring Raion's comment on her other students crushing on her as she didn't believe that. "It'll also give you three a chance to bond together on this little trip, as well as with me, and I can get a better grasp of your person outside of combat. Himiko would then step away, leading them over to the office where she had already once to double check the job hadn't been taken, "Hello?~ Himiko Zakiyoshi, back with her team, there was a slip waiting for us?"

"Hmm? Is this the new guy by any chance?" Enzo would say as he looked on over to Raion and slightly waved his hand at him. "Yo, I'm guessing that you know Himiko sensei personally, right? But I wouldn't say it was stupid or anything, I had nothing better to, I'm pretty good as it is on everything. If being social and killing time is stupid, must be lonely to be smart. " Enzo didn't care what they said about him, he would follow his own ninja way in the end.

As for the mission, seemed easy enough, all they would do is travel and talk. The first thing that Enzo did was address Raion. "What's your name? I'm Enzo Bakuhatsu. I never seen you before or saw you fight, so i d like to get to know your strengths and weaknesses so we can help cover that. On top of that, are you being unjustly punished for something?" H immediately gave the boy the benifit of the doubt, it could all be a misunderstanding

Well, Himi just shook her head and ignored him, so I guess that's a great start to the whole pupil-master relationship. On the other hand, the little lover kid seemed to be a friendly one, plus he took the insults in stride so that's an added bonus, hopefully he might be a decent laugh at the least. This other guy though...Rai had no idea what he was saying. Waiting for what? The fuck is he going on about? He'd shrug and dismiss it all as his 'sensei' began to brief them on the mission. Seems they'll be escorting someone all the way to Greed. Oh god I'm praying this isn't by boat, please let us walk the whole way, because there is no way in hell Raion is ever getting on another ship. Sigh, this could be a huge fucking problem, and so early? Please let us walk. Furthermore she had to go and say something corny like 'team bonding'. He'd roll his eyes at the concept, before taking a puff of his smoke, getting the evil glares from everyone else who apparently don't appreciate it indoors.

The little ball of positivity bounced over to get to know him, giving a checklist of questions to answer? What a curious little kid he is...Maybe it'll be fun to corrupt him over time? "Name's Raion, and yeah, you could say we know each other." I don't think they ever got along though...Rarely even spoke to be perfectly honest, can't say he blames her either. "Strengths and weaknesses...hmm? I ain't tell you shit unless you go first. As for the punishment, I'd say its pretty justified. Doesn't mean I gotta like it though." He'd continue to smoke, before getting a idea that should humour him at the very least. "You want a smoke?" He'd shake the packet in front of him to try and make it seem enticing.

The mission brief took a matter of moments, this allowed them to focus on something else. Enzo seem a bit defensive to him and ran, but in all he hoped enzo didn't take kenichi too serious. The weirdest thing of all was the kid who was going to replace luffy, he seemed as if he had more battle experience than the two of them combined "nah" kenichi would brush off his assumptions. There enzo went, we might as well calmed him the friendly bomb, he seemed on the way To make yet another friend which would be so much easier for him if ready would've stop fighting it.

The secretary would look at Himiko with a baleful glare as she had been in the process of taking a really good nap to the dismay of the individual who wanted an escort who was currently waiting in the office. Instead she would point to the man and then toss over a scroll detailing the nature of the travel from the Land of Graves through the Land of Anguish to finally end up in the Land of Greed which was as far as the shinobi would be able to escort him to the Temple of Susanoo. "Hello, my name is Feng, I'm sorry to make you travel so far from your homeland it's just this would be the best chance for me to see the temple with my own eyes and I have saved enough cash to pay for the journey. I hope you will do your best to protect me as we head out. he said as he was a mild mannered man who appeared to be a civilian yet took very good care of his body as he was fairly built. If they accepted the secretary would make a shooing gesture. Fortunately for them it was a land locked journey, unless they decided to take a ship from a port within the Land of Graves and head directly to the port within the Land of Greed, but ultimately it was up to their sensei to decide the best course of action.

Himiko actually found herself more pleased with their escortee than she expected after simultaniously listening to the man and glancing over the scroll the clerk gave her. "Oh, how nice to meet someone travelling to the temple. I've always wanted to see the Temple of Susanoo myself." she would say politely, however there was a thing or two that seemed omitted. "Alright, well you can just call me Himiko. I'm the sensei to this bunch of youngsters, and Raion," she shot a glance back to the eldest of the group, having a little joke at his expense. With the man in tow she would lead them outside, pondering what route to take. "Anyone have anything against taking the road there then?" She directed the question to her students, and to Feng, giving the escortee the option too.

"Raion? Well, i guess you could say I'm good at genjutsu and taijutsu. My last trick is summoning, but that's fairly new. So, no secrets I guess.... we are a team now. It might be important to now in the long run. Enzo then looked at the smoke and shook his head. "No thank you, messes with your breathing, though you might have a cool trick with it using wind release. Was that a hint as to what you do too? Or is it more of a recreational activity?"

As he continued to try to be the social one to bring the team together to at least speaking terms, the escort showed up. His name seemed to be Feng, a well-built man. "Feng, nice to meet you. It would suck that you gave all your life savings to do a bit of sightseeing and we failed to keep you safe. So, I'll make sure we do just that. "However, Enzo had questions.

"Wait..The temple of what? Susanoo? Is it anything like the temple that you pray Himiko Sensei?" Enzo would say in a curious tone. He never heard of the temple of Susanoo befoe. However, when it came to paths, Enzo nodded his head at the road. "Never went traveling by foot too often. It'll bring in a sense of adventure this way. We might see something exciting...

I suppose he should have expected that the boy would refuse the smoke, and questioning the who lung problem was actually a pretty good standpoint on the matter, so he couldn't even be pissed about it. He'd place the packet back into his pockets before addressing the team spirit. "No wind release. I specialise in Fabrication." I'd say we're also beyond the point of a recreational activity. Meanwhile, his sensei has wasted no time in bringing out the shade throwing, almost immediately dissing him on the sly without even having said a word to him yet. "Tch." Now that, is not how you get on the good side of a trouble maker, but at least they weren't gonna be sailing over there. In other news, Rai made sure to take a mental note in regards to this receptionist. She had some sexy sass about her that really got him going. We'll definitely be coming back to visit her again, that's for damn sure.

"Every temple is different, just like the rituals and 'proper' methods of praying." Just on the down low, Rai was actually pretty excited to hear they were going to Susanoo's temple. His mother once told him stories of the days when she was a pilgrim. Ever since, he's been super pumped to go around and see them all. Sucks that with the factions being as they are, he might never get the chance to pray at very shrine and temple like his mother did, but hey, whatever right?

He monk would smile genially as he put his temporary travelling companion's names to memory and would otherwise head out along with them finally free of the annoying receptionist lady, surely they could find someone more competent to handle missions. "I do believe in your skills, it was why I wanted to hire a full team rather than just a single escort by a chunin. Travelling through the Allied Shinibi Nations is generally safe but there are still a risk of running into a creature or bandits which is why I didn't want to travel alone." he said walking at a brisk pace so that there were no illusions as to him not being able to keep up with their pace as shinobi. He might just be a civilian but he had trained his body for years, endurance was a monk's forte after all.

Spoiler:

It will take 5 P.T to travel from Hakagakure to Land of Graves, then 10 P.T to travel from Graves to Anguish. Then another 10 P.T to travel from Anguish to Greed, and finally 5 P.T to travel from Greed to Midtown.In total it'll take at least 30 more posts (total) to arrive at the destination. Do you want to do this all in one topic or would you prefer to break it up between each land? In Which case after 15 more P.T a topic in the Land of Anguish will have to be made, and after 10 P.T of that, a topic in the Land of Greed would have to be made.

It would be easier for me to mod the journey if it is done across multiple topics but I can do either or.

Himiko couldn't help but smirk a little at Enzo's question on the temple, "Actually... I'm not sure. I only know the temple by name. It's something I should get out of the habit of, but it's difficult to get my head around the practises of other temples because my own are so ingrained. Issues with being from a lineage of priestesses I suppose," She would answer with a nervous laugh. She liked speaking like this to her students, Enzo being especially curious, and seeing Raion's reaction to their destination too, she was beginning to feel the stronger bond growing with the group. Something Himiko had worried about for being in such an important role. "As for you," she began and pointed to Raion as they began to move, "I've been trying to think about what of my own strengths I can pass on, and I'm realising how difficult that is because my own specialities are pretty unique to me. But whilst it's not exact matches, I do have techniques for explosions, in a sense, and I'm pretty good with genjutsu, including a little resistance to Fabrication. So if you ever need someone to practise with Raion, don't be afraid to come to your old classmate. And Enzo I'd love to perhaps work with you on force focused explosions if you have time to learn some new things, I've already seen your rather busy record." Now she just needed to think of what to help her final student with. With that said she moved on towards the monk moving at a decent pace. "So can you tell us a little about the Temple of Susanoo? As a Priestess of Kikuri myself I'd love to hear,"

"Yikes, responsibilities like that don't sound like it has it's benefits. When do you get to have any fun?" Enzo would say in a passive tone as he continued to follow along with a confused look on his face. He couldn't imagine being so engrossed in something past the point of it's thrills. "Yea man, i think i need a good way to get out of a genjutsu battle with someone that might even be better at it than me, so i might need our help in that regard Raion. Counting on ya, sempai." The kid seemed more grown, maybe it wouldnt be so bad to look up to him for the time being.

"Forced explosions, sounds exciting. " He finally had something to look forward to, hopefully this mission would be a piece of cake.

Raion would just wave his hand at his sensei with dismissal intent. Honestly, he wouldn't expect there to be anything even remotely similar in their fighting styles, so a situation like this was to be expected. "There aren't many Dakar to begin with, let alone Fabrication users. I didn't think you'd have anything to teach me from the get go." However..."However, I could probably enjoy testing a few of my 'unique' abilities out on you, sensei." The last word was said almost sarcastically as the concept still pissed him off a fair bit. She seemed to be making some kind of effort now, at least. Even if she did just rub in the fact that they were classmates again. In any case, the most interesting thing going on right now is this monk dude, so Rai would walk over, still smoking away as he went to talk to this dude and see whats up. "So monk, are you a pilgrim or is this just a holiday destination?" He'd take another puff before continuing. "To bad the shrine is in Souls." Not allowed to visit, ever. Its just not possible, not for a shinobi. Furthermore, its the only 'proper' Susanoo temple on this whole damn continent, if not in the world. The shitty makeshift ones just don't make the cut.

"A pilgrim, I wish to devote myself purely to the worship of Susanoo and due to it being situated in the Epsilon Republic well, that's not the sort of place I'd want to come back from I should have everything I need at the temple. Unlike most places the Temple is actually very modern constantly being outfitted in the latest of technology after all Susanoo is the Deity of Change whether through conflict or by innovation." Feng said actually getting caught up because he was excited that people actually wished to hear about the temple of Susanoo. Sure he wasn't high up on the totem pole seeing as he was too fear to go on a Hunt..but maybe eventually he'll be able to partake in one with a whole hunting party.

Himiko nodded along as she listened, feeling nice to hear another side even if it was a common occurrence across the few temples she had donated her time to. It was one new to her after all. "Then I look forwards to visiting and seeing the Temple with my own eyes. I might have to make it a frequent trip if this turns out well," She would move forwards to take the lead, motioning for her genin to form around their escort loosely as they were getting away from the more civilised areas of the road.

Why do people devote themselves to a deity in such a way? is it simply based off on faith? Or i it something a lot more?

Enzo didn't quite understand the reasoning behind why this monk was making this life choices. Couldn't you be a monk and live a normal life? Something akin to having your head shaven but still going through things like any other average human being?"Deity of change? Does that mean you welcome change? Good or bad?" Enzo would say as he saw the signal given to him by himiko sensei and started to crowd near feng.

'A Pilgrim', all of the sudden his interest was piqued. A pilgrim, just like his mother, a religious traveller who journeys around the world to sacred locations...What an exciting man. 'I wish to devote myself purely to the worship of Susanoo'. Okay, fuck this wannabe ass loser. Raion would walk away from him almost immediately, completely losing whatever interest he initially had. A mono-deity devotee, what an insult to all other gods. Even more annoying, still considering himself a pilgrim...pilgrims travel. Its part of the definition. Now walking by himself, Rai would flick away his finished smoke, and pulled out a book, taking this time to read while they walked as it didn't seem like the terrain was too treacherous just yet. It was a fairly decent true story novel about the life and death of a merchant slave turned shinobi. Pretty cool story to be honest, more than enough to make this journey somewhat exciting. While engrossed him his story, he was also listening out for the conversation as best he could. The Enzo seemed to be a curious one, and most of his questions were pretty good. Why devote themselves to one god? Because they are stupid.

"It is unfortunate then, as due to what you are it is unlikely that you will ever see the temple. I mean no offense of course, but shinobi aren't exactly welcome in all parts of Epsilon or so I've heard." Feng said addressing Himiko first before then shifting his attention to the others. "It is much more than that, if you like I could tell you about Susanoo, starting of course at the beginning? Change is necessary, and there is no such thing as good or bad everything that is, exists in shades of grey for what is good for one is bad for another, the only constant between them in what results from actions." he said quoting one of the wise sayings by those of the same faith as his. While Susano-o might be known as the Warrior among the Deities he was known by his followers to be just as enlightened as he was fond of conflict.

Himiko briefly stumbled, nervously laughing as she was told how difficult it could be to be allowed into the Temple due to her occupation. "Yes, I admit I don't always recall at first how the land comes first. Still, it would be nice to get the chance to see it. And I'm not sure all of my students would be as appreciative as I myself to hear," She would look back between her genin and sigh seeing Raion separate a little from the group. Nothing too bad, but it did give more of an idea to how different the students were.

"It's an adventure nevertheless, we just have to make sure that we don't do anything too unnecessary. If it's a simple drop off and we are ensure your safety on our way there, i'm sure that we can achieve those results. "If they couldn't go in, that was alright. Enzo didn't have a problem with it, but he wasn't about to fail his mission. "Hey, Mr. Feng, do you have any family back from where you came from?

He looked at Raion being a bit away from the group as he said that, but Enzo just figured the older teen needed his space.

Rai was immediately engrossed in his book, finding himself marvelled at the story. But there was something talking in the background that was pissing him off a little. It took a whole of three seconds for this priest to go from really interesting, to a huge pain in the ass. Every now and then, Rai would look up to survey his surroundings, before returning to the words in his palm. How much longer are we suppose to be doing this for again? Because it might be a very long trip if nothing exciting happens soon, bring on some bandits or some travellers in need of a tire change, or a tree that fell over on the road which we can move as strong samaritans. As his sensei seemed to note at his distance between them, he would lazily wave a hand her way. "Talk about whatever you want, 'Susanoo' monk." The only constant was the actions which resulted...Sounds particularly basic. Not to mention every action is different, meaning it isn't constant at all. People of structured faith and their weird ass sayings and quotes, what a sheepish bunch.

"Indeed, it would be nice if you could see it. As for my family no, I don't have any family the only surviving relatives I had were killed in the Dobutsu War. Do any of you have family?" Feng said, as while he knew of shinobi he didn't know anything that specific so as to denote people by what clan they were from, not that it was something anyone could do unless they were really familiar with such things. He did pick up some resentment from the older genin, he wondered why that was though he didn't want to offend his escorts after all they were the ones who were going to protect him. Speaking of protection, about 100 feet away, it would seem they would run into trouble, or rather trouble might just run into them. As there was a group of individuals with some serious beef against this particular monk, there were five of them into total, and all of them were naked as the day they were born. But currently they were hidden concealed by dirt and mud so they could blend with the terrain better, they knew he would be going this route and expected to ambush him.